Forced to the Altar

Chapter.6

*Chapter 6: Unang Kain Bilang Mag-asawa*

*Chapter 6: First Meal as Husband and Wife*

*ELENA POV*

Hawak pa rin ni Adrian kamay ko habang naglalakad kami papunta sa restaurant.

_Adrian is still holding my hand while we walk to restaurant._

Pagkatapos niya akong ipagtanggol kay Sophia sa jewelry shop, hinila niya ako palabas. Lahat ng staff nakatingin. Si Adrian Montenegro, Billionaire CEO, hawak kamay ng pandesal girl.

_After he defended me against Sophia at jewelry shop, he pulled me out. All staff looking. Adrian Montenegro, Billionaire CEO, holding hand of pandesal girl._

"Adrian... pwede mo na bitawan kamay ko..." mahina kong sabi, namumula.

_"Adrian... you can let go of my hand now..." I said softly, blushing._

Tumingin siya sa kamay namin. Parang ngayon niya lang napansin na hawak pa rin niya.

_He looked at our hands. Like he just noticed he is still holding it._

"Ah... sorry," sabi niya at binitawan. Pero dahan-dahan. Parang ayaw pa bitawan.

_"Ah... sorry," he said and let go. But slowly. Like he doesn't want to let go yet._

Pumasok kami sa restaurant. Mamahalin. Yung tipong isang order ng steak, presyo isang buwan na benta ko ng pandesal.

_We entered restaurant. Expensive. The type where one order of steak costs one month of my pandesal sales._

"Good afternoon, Sir Montenegro! Table for two?" sabi ng waiter, yumuko.

_"Good afternoon, Sir Montenegro! Table for two?" waiter said, bowing._

"Yes. Private table," sabi ni Adrian.

_"Yes. Private table," Adrian said._

Dinala kami sa pinaka-private na table sa dulo. May kurtina. Tahimik. Para kaming mag-asawa talaga.

_We were brought to most private table at end. With curtain. Quiet. Like we are really husband and wife._

Umupo ako. Hindi ako marunong gumamit ng kutsara at tinidor na mamahalin. Sa Tondo, kamay lang gamit namin. O kaya isang kutsara lang.

_I sat down. I don't know how to use expensive spoon and fork. In Tondo, we only use hands. Or just one spoon._

"Anong gusto mo kainin?" tanong ni Adrian habang binubuklat menu.

_"What do you want to eat?" Adrian asked while opening menu._

Tumingin ako sa menu. Walang presyo. Ibig sabihin sobrang mahal. Lahat English. Hindi ko maintindihan. Ano yung Wagyu? Ano yung Truffle? Ano yung Caviar?

_I looked at menu. No price. Means super expensive. All English. I don't understand. What is Wagyu? What is Truffle? What is Caviar?_

"Ikaw na lang bahala, Adrian..." sabi ko. First time ko siya tawagin na Adrian hindi Sir. Nanginginig boses ko.

_"You decide, Adrian..." I said. First time I called him Adrian not Sir. My voice trembling._

Tumingin siya sa akin. Ngumiti. Maliit na ngiti pero totoo.

_He looked at me. Smiled. Small smile but real._

"Okay," sabi niya. Tapos tumawag ng waiter. "Two Wagyu steaks, medium. Two truffle pastas. And chocolate cake for dessert. And orange juice for her. Black coffee for me."

_"Okay," he said. Then called waiter. "Two Wagyu steaks, medium. Two truffle pastas. And chocolate cake for dessert. And orange juice for her. Black coffee for me."_

Wagyu steak. Narinig ko na yan sa TV. 10,000 pesos daw isang order.

_Wagyu steak. I heard that on TV. 10,000 pesos one order._

"Adrian, sobrang mahal naman..." bulong ko.

_"Adrian, that's too expensive..." I whispered._

"Wala kang dapat alalahanin. Ako magbabayad. Asawa kita sa papel, remember? Karapatan mong kumain ng mahal," sabi niya.

_"You don't need to worry. I will pay. You are my wife on paper, remember? It's your right to eat expensive food," he said._

Asawa sa papel. Lagi niyang sinasabi yun. Pero bakit parang totoo na?

_Wife on paper. He always says that. But why does it feel real now?_

*ADRIAN POV*

Dinala ko si Elena sa restaurant ng family namin. Private table.

_I brought Elena to our family restaurant. Private table._

Hindi ko alam bakit. Dapat sa ibang shop na lang namin ayusin necklace tapos uwi na. Pero sabi ko kain muna kami.

_I don't know why. We should just fix necklace at other shop then go home. But I said let's eat first._

Pagpasok namin, lahat nakatingin kay Elena. Kasi naka-800 pesos dress lang siya galing SM. Pero maganda pa rin siya. Natural.

_When we entered, everyone looking at Elena. Because she is only wearing 800 pesos dress from SM. But she is still beautiful. Natural._

Umorder ako ng mahal. Wagyu steak. Gusto ko matikman niya yung hindi niya natitikman sa Tondo.

_I ordered expensive. Wagyu steak. I want her to taste what she never tasted in Tondo._

"Elena, tikman mo mamaya. Masarap yan," sabi ko.

_"Elena, taste it later. It's delicious," I said._

"Adrian, first time ko kumain sa ganitong restaurant..." sabi niya, nahihiya. "Sa Tondo, sa karinderya lang kami. Tapsilog, 50 pesos lang."

_"Adrian, first time I eat at this kind of restaurant..." she said, shy. "In Tondo, we only eat at karinderya. Tapsilog, only 50 pesos."_

Tapsilog 50 pesos. Wagyu steak 10,000 pesos. 200 times difference.

_Tapsilog 50 pesos. Wagyu steak 10,000 pesos. 200 times difference._

Pero bakit mas gusto ko kwento niya tungkol sa tapsilog kaysa kwento ni Sophia tungkol sa 2 million diamond necklace?

_But why do I prefer her story about tapsilog than Sophia's story about 2 million diamond necklace?_

Dumating pagkain. Malaki steak. Umusok pa.

_Food arrived. Big steak. Still smoking._

Tinitigan ni Elena steak na parang hindi alam paano kainin.

_Elena stared at steak like she doesn't know how to eat it._

Kumuha ako ng kutsilyo at tinidor. "Ganitohin mo," sabi ko at pinakita paano hiwain. "Dahan-dahan."

_I took knife and fork. "Do it like this," I said and showed how to cut. "Slowly."_

Sinubukan niya. Nanginginig kamay. Hindi mahiwalay.

_She tried. Hands trembling. Can't cut._

Tumawa ako. First time ko tumawa ng malakas sa harap niya.

_I laughed. First time I laughed loudly in front of her._

"Hindi ganyan. Hawakan mo mabuti," sabi ko at lumapit. Hinawakan ko kamay niya para turuan.

_"Not like that. Hold it properly," I said and came closer. I held her hand to teach her._

Mainit kamay niya. Malambot. Maliit.

_Her hand warm. Soft. Small._

Naramdaman ko tumigil paghinga niya nung hinawakan ko kamay niya.

_I felt her stop breathing when I held her hand._

"Elena, huminga ka," bulong ko.

_"Elena, breathe," I whispered._

"Sorry... sorry..." sabi niya, namumula.

_"Sorry... sorry..." she said, blushing._

Tinuruan ko siya hiwain steak. Sobrang lapit namin. Amoy ko buhok niya. Sampaguita.

_I taught her to cut steak. We are so close. I can smell her hair. Sampaguita._

At sa wakas, nahiwalay niya maliit na piraso at kinain.

_And finally, she cut small piece and ate it._

"Wow..." sabi niya, malaki mata. "Ang sarap! Parang butter! Natutunaw sa bibig!"

_"Wow..." she said, eyes wide. "So delicious! Like butter! Melts in mouth!"_

Ngumiti ako. "Masarap diba? Kain ka pa."

_I smiled. "Delicious right? Eat more."_

Tumango siya at kumain ulit. Parang bata. Masaya. Walang arte. Hindi tulad ni Sophia na kunwari diet lagi.

_She nodded and ate again. Like a child. Happy. No pretension. Unlike Sophia who always pretends diet._

At habang kumakain siya, tinitigan ko lang siya. Hindi ko alam bakit hindi ako makatingin sa iba.

_And while she is eating, I just stared at her. I don't know why I can't look away._

*SOPHIA POV*

Nasa labas ako ng restaurant! Sinundan ko sila!

_I'm outside restaurant! I followed them!_

Nakita ko sila sa private table! Magkahawak kamay pa habang tinuturuan ni Adrian si Elena kumain ng steak!

_I saw them at private table! Holding hands while Adrian teaches Elena how to eat steak!_

Hindi! Hindi pwede!

_No! Not allowed!_

Ako dapat kasama ni Adrian kumain ng Wagyu steak! Ako dapat tinuturuan niya! Hindi yang pandesal girl na hindi marunong gumamit ng kutsilyo at tinidor!

_I should be the one eating Wagyu steak with Adrian! I should be the one he teaches! Not that pandesal girl who doesn't know how to use knife and fork!_

Kaya pumasok ako sa restaurant. Diretso sa table nila.

_So I entered restaurant. Straight to their table._

"Adrian! Babe!" sabi ko, umiiyak kunwari. "Bakit mo ako iniwan sa jewelry shop? Nakakahiya! Lahat ng tao nakatingin sa akin!"

_"Adrian! Babe!" I said, pretending to cry. "Why did you leave me at jewelry shop? So embarrassing! Everyone looking at me!"_

Tumingin si Adrian sa akin. Malamig na ulit mukha niya. Yung malamig na mukha na dati kay Elena lang.

_Adrian looked at me. Cold face again. The cold face that used to be only for Elena._

"Sophia, anong ginagawa mo dito? Sinundan mo ba kami?" sabi niya, galit.

_"Sophia, what are you doing here? Did you follow us?" he said, angry._

"Hindi! Nagkataon lang! Favorite ko din itong restaurant na ito! Babe, pwede ba ako makiupo? Gutom ako eh," sabi ko at umupo agad sa tabi ni Adrian nang hindi nagpapaalam.

_"No! Just coincidence! This is also my favorite restaurant! Babe, can I sit? I'm hungry," I said and sat beside Adrian immediately without permission._

Tumingin si Elena sa akin. Takot. Yumuko agad. Hindi na kumain ng steak.

_Elena looked at me. Scared. Head down immediately. Stopped eating steak._

Nakita ko takot si Elena. Good. Dapat matakot siya sa akin.

_I saw Elena is scared. Good. She should be scared of me._

"Adrian, babe, order ka na rin para sa akin? Wagyu steak din? At red wine?" sabi ko at hinawakan braso ni Adrian.

_"Adrian, babe, order for me too? Wagyu steak too? And red wine?" I said and held Adrian's arm._

Hinawi ni Adrian kamay ko.

_Adrian removed my hand._

"Sophia, umalis ka. Kumakain kami ni Elena. Private date namin ito," sabi ni Adrian, seryoso.

_"Sophia, leave. Me and Elena are eating. This is our private date," Adrian said, serious._

Private date?!

_Private date?!_

Date daw nila ni Elena?!

_He said date with Elena?!_

*ELENA POV - SA RESTAURANT*

Dumating si Sophia. Nakaupo sa tabi ni Adrian. Hinawakan braso niya.

_Sophia arrived. Sitting beside Adrian. Holding his arm._

Gusto ko umalis. Gusto ko tumayo at bumalik sa Tondo. Hindi ako bagay dito.

_I want to leave. I want to stand and return to Tondo. I don't belong here._

"Sophia, umalis ka. Private date namin ito ni Elena," sabi ni Adrian.

_Adrian said, "Sophia, leave. This is private date with Elena."_

Private date?

_Private date?_

Date namin?

_Our date?_

Tumingin ako kay Adrian. Seryoso siya. Hindi siya nagbibiro.

_I looked at Adrian. Serious. Not joking._

"Sophia, please... kumakain po kami..." mahina kong sabi.

_"Sophia, please... we are eating..." I said softly._

Tumingin si Sophia sa akin, galit.

_Sophia looked at me, angry._

"Ikaw! Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit nagkakaganyan si Adrian! Gold digger ka! Pandesal girl! Hindi ka bagay kay Adrian! Ako bagay! Model ako! Maganda! Sexy! Maputi! Ikaw morena! Mahirap! Taga Tondo!"

_"You! You are reason why Adrian is like this! Gold digger! Pandesal girl! You don't suit Adrian! I suit! I'm model! Beautiful! Sexy! White! You morena! Poor! From Tondo!"_

Tumulo luha ko. Hindi ko mapigilan.

_My tears fell. Can't stop._

Tumayo si Adrian. Sobrang galit. Hinila si Sophia patayo.

_Adrian stood up. So angry. Pulled Sophia to stand._

"Sophia! Tama na! Lumabas ka! Ngayon din!" sigaw ni Adrian. Narinig ng buong restaurant.

_"Sophia! Enough! Get out! Right now!" Adrian shouted. Whole restaurant heard._

Nagulat lahat ng tao sa restaurant. Tahimik.

_Everyone in restaurant shocked. Silent._

Umiyak si Sophia ng totoo. "Adrian, pinipili mo talaga yang mahirap na yan kaysa sa akin?! 3 years tayo, Adrian! 3 years!"

_Sophia cried for real. "Adrian, you really choose that poor girl over me?! 3 years us, Adrian! 3 years!"_

"Yes. Pinipili ko si Elena. Asawa ko siya. Sa papel at sa mata ng Diyos. At ikaw, wala ka nang karapatan dito. Umalis ka," sabi ni Adrian, malamig pero buo boses.

_"Yes. I choose Elena. She is my wife. On paper and in God's eyes. And you, you have no right here. Leave," Adrian said, cold but firm voice._

Naiyak si Sophia at tumakbo palabas ng restaurant.

_Sophia cried and ran out of restaurant._

Naiwan kami ni Adrian. Tahimik buong restaurant. Lahat nakatingin sa amin.

_We were left, me and Adrian. Whole restaurant silent. Everyone looking at us._

Umupo si Adrian ulit sa harap ko. Hinawakan kamay ko sa ibabaw ng mesa.

_Adrian sat again in front of me. Held my hand on top of table._

"Elena, sorry... dahil sa akin, nasaktan ka na naman..." sabi niya.

_"Elena, sorry... because of me, you got hurt again..." he said._

Umiling ako, umiiyak pa rin. "Okay lang, Adrian... sanay ako... sanay ako matawag na pandesal girl..."

_I shook head, still crying. "It's okay, Adrian... I'm used to it... used to be called pandesal girl..."_

"Hindi ka pandesal girl sa akin," sabi ni Adrian, tinitigan mata ko. "Mrs. Montenegro ka. Asawa kita. Tandaan mo yan."

_"You are not pandesal girl to me," Adrian said, staring at my eyes. "You are Mrs. Montenegro. My wife. Remember that."_

Mrs. Montenegro. Asawa kita.

_Mrs. Montenegro. My wife._

First time niya sinabi na asawa niya ako hindi dahil sa kontrata. Kundi dahil... gusto niya?

_First time he said I'm his wife not because of contract. But because... he wants to?_

*LOLO ALEJANDRO POV*

Tumawag sa akin si Manang Fe. Umiiyak daw si Elena sa restaurant dahil kay Sophia. Pero pinagtanggol daw ni Adrian.

_Manang Fe called me. Elena crying at restaurant because of Sophia. But Adrian defended her._

Ngumiti ako habang nasa kama. May sakit ako sa puso pero gumaganda pakiramdam ko.

_I smiled while in bed. I have heart disease but I feel better._

Sa wakas, nagiging lalaki na si Adrian. Pinipili na niya si Elena.

_Finally, Adrian is becoming a man. He is choosing Elena now._

Tama desisyon ko. Si Elena ang magpapabago kay Adrian.

_My decision was right. Elena will change Adrian._

Kaya tumawag ako sa jewelry shop. "Ayusin niyo yung necklace ni Elena. At dagdagan niyo pa. Bigyan niyo siya ng bracelet na kapares. At sing-sing. Sabihin niyo regalo ko. Para sa apo ko."

_So I called jewelry shop. "Fix Elena's necklace. And add more. Give her bracelet that matches. And ring. Tell her it's my gift. For my granddaughter."_

Apo ko na si Elena. Hindi na pandesal girl.

_Elena is my granddaughter now. Not pandesal girl anymore._

*MANANG FE POV*

Tumawag sa akin manager ng restaurant. Nag-away daw si Sir Adrian at Ma'am Sophia. Pinili ni Sir Adrian si Elena.

_Restaurant manager called me. Sir Adrian and Ma'am Sophia fought. Sir Adrian chose Elena._

Napaiyak ako sa tuwa sa kusina ng mansion.

_I cried in joy at mansion kitchen._

Sa wakas! Sa wakas pinili na ni Sir Adrian si Elena!

_Finally! Finally Sir Adrian chose Elena!_

Kaya nagluto ako ng paborito ni Elena. Adobo. Para pag-uwi nila, may masarap na pagkain si Elena. Hindi na siya iiyak.

_So I cooked Elena's favorite. Adobo. So when they come home, Elena will have delicious food. She will not cry anymore._

Bagay sila ni Sir Adrian. Kahit anong sabihin ni Sophia.

_Sir Adrian and Elena are perfect. Whatever Sophia says._

*TO BE CONTINUED...*

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*END OF CHAPTER 6 - 2000 WORDS!*

*Author's Note:* GRABE! PINAGTANGGOL ULIT NI ADRIAN SI ELENA! SINABI NIYANG PRIVATE DATE NILA! AT SINABI NIYANG MRS. MONTENEGRO SI ELENA HINDI PANDESAL GIRL!

Sino kinilig sa hawak-kamay sa restaurant?!

Comment: ADRIAN x ELENA FOREVER! LAYUAN MO NA SI SOPHIA!

Next: Chapter 7 - Umuwi Na Si Mrs. Montenegro / Going Home as Mrs. Montenegro - May surprise si Lolo!